Stretcher



R. D. BROCK June 17, 1969 STRETCHER Filed Sept. 11, 1967 INVENTOR.

v RANDALL D. Bnoc :1

BY WZWMMAQM HTTORNEYS June 17, 1969 D R K 3,449,776

STRETCHER Filed Sept. 11, 1967 Sheet 3 of 3 VIII/111 0 RANDALL D. Bnock I I NVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,449,776 STRETCHER Randall D. Brock, 422 S. Webster St., Kokomo, Ind. 46901 Filed Sept. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 666,660 Int. Cl. A61g 1/00 US. Cl. -82 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A collapsible telescoping stretcher including a plurality of flexible straps attached to the stretcher and adapted to tie down the legs and torso of the patient to the stretcher. An inflatable mattress rests on the stretcher and has separate leg portions whereby the straps can be used to tie down the legs individually. A collapsible telescoping head support is mounted on the stretcher and has adjustable torso members mounted thereon. The straps extend through the head support and torso members for immobilizing a broken neck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the inventi0n.This invention relates to litters and stretchers.

Description of the prior art.One important cause of further injury and death is the movement of injured persons in such a way that further injury occurs to them. Good first aid practice require that the injured person be immobilized or that major fractures be immobilized before the patient is moved. The stretchers and litters known in the art, however, do not provide means for properly and completely immobilizing the patient on the stretcher so that further harm and injury does not occur to him as he is being transported. Examples of the prior art in connection with this invention are shown in the US. Patents to Springer 2,361,328, Springer 2,489,828, Jakes et al. 3,135,972, Collins 3,139,883 and Magni et al. 3,264,659.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of this invention might involve a stretcher comprising an elongate support having a substantially flat upper surface for supporting a patient lying on the support, and a plurality of flexible straps secured to said support, said straps being secured to said support in the shape of a human torso and legs whereby said straps can be tied about the legs and body of the patient to immobilize the patient on the stretcher.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved stretcher.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a stretcher that makes possible relatively complete immobilization of the patient.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stretcher that is collapsible and can be carried on the back.

Related objects will be apparent as the description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stretcher embodying the present invention and showing a patient lying upon the stretcher.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1 but showing details of construction of the stretcher and with the straps removed therefrom.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the structure partially collapsed and disassembled.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 and showing the structure completely collapsed and telescoped.

3,449,776 Patented June 1'7, 1969 FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the support forming a major portion of the structure.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the support also showing a receptacle forming a part of the structure for re ceiving and storing limb splints.

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 5 showing a different operating position of the structure.

FIG. 7 is a transverse section of the structure taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 4 but showing the limb splints of the apparatus arranged to provide a back fitting support for carrying the stretcher as a back pack.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a carriage used in moving the stretcher from place to place.

FIG. 10 is a side view partially in section showing the carriage in a folded condition.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a section taken along the line 1212 of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 14, there is illustrated a stretcher comprising an elongate support 10 which includes three telescoping elements 11, 12 and 15. These elements are shown partially telescoped in FIG. 3 and completely telescoped in FIG. 4. In FIG. 1, there is illustrated a patient 14 lying upon the support 10. Between the patient and the support 10 is an inflatable mattress 16. The patient is tied to the support 10 by means of straps 17 and 19. Thus, the straps 17 surround the individual legs 20 of the patient and also pass between the legs of the patient and between the bifurcated portions 21 of the inflatable mattress 16. The straps 18 are secured to an elongate plate 22 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the straps 18 extending through the slots 25. The plate 22 is supported upon the member 11 by means of tabs 26 which are pivotally secured at 27 to the plate 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the tabs 26 can be pivoted inwardly so that the plate 22 can be slipped into a groove 30 in the member 11. The purpose of the plate 22 is to support the backbone of the patient, particularly when the patient has a broken neck or the like, and to keep the torso of the patient immobilized relative to the head of the patient. Thus, the straps 18 can extend from the slots 25 up through the slots in the torso members 36, thence around the torso of the patient.

The torso members 36 are adjustably mounted upon a three-sided receptacle 37 intended for immobilizing the head of the patient. The receptacle 37 includes a centermost side 40 which is located at the head end of the support 10 and two endmost sides 41 which are pivoted to the side 40 and which extend the foot end 42 of the support 10. The sides 40 and 41 are all perpendicular to the support 10 and the sides 41 are arranged perpendicular to the side 40. The sides 41 are secured to the telescoping member 11 by means of bolts 45 which extend through slots 44. The side 40 includes two sections 46 and 47 which are adjustably connected to one another by a bolt 50 which is adjustable within a slot 51 in the portion 46 and which is received within a bore in the portion 47. Each of the members 46 and 47 is hinged to its respective side 41 by hinges 52. Thus, it can be seen by releasing the bolt 50 and releasing the bolts 45 and adjustment of the relative position of the sides 41 and the relative position of the portions 46 and 47, the apparatus can be adjusted for the size of the patients head.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 5 and 6, the support is provided with a number of slots 60, 61, 62 and 63. The slots 60 receive the straps 17 for securing those straps to the support 10 and particularly to the telescoping members 12 and 15. The slots 61 can receive the straps 18 as an alternative location, it being understood and previously mentioned that those straps 18 normally extend through the slots in the plate 22. The strap 19 may extend through the uppermost slot or the lowermost slot 62 and additional straps 19 can 'be provided for extension through the additional slot 62. When the straps 18 are extended through the slots 61, the slots in the torso members 36 may also be used to receive the straps 18 for securing and immobilizing the patients torso relative to the head of the patient. The slots 63 provide handholds for lifting the stretcher and are aligined when the stretcher is in the position of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 7 show a receptacle 70 which is formed in the telescoping member 15 and includes a bottom 71 and side walls 72. The receptacle 70 is intended to receive limb splints for the arms and legs. Thus, the limb splints for the legs may have a length of seventeen inches whereas the limb splints for the arm may have a length of fourteen inches. The limb splints are used also to mount the stretcher on the back for carrying as a back pack. Referring to FIG. 8, the limb splint 75, which might be, for example, the leg splint, is bent and secured to the telescoped support 10 by means of the screw 76 and is secured to rubber or resilient members 77 having a triangular cross section by means of screws 78. Two such leg splints 75 might be used, one above the other, to provide a surface for engagement with the back of the person carrying the back pack. Of course, the straps 17, 18 or 19 can be used for tying the thus-formed back pack to the back of a person carrying the stretcher. It should be mentioned that the limb splints, such as the leg splint 75, are resilient and normally have a straight configuration but can be bent into the curved configuration of FIG. 8.

In collapsing the present device into the fully telescoped and collapsed position of FIG. 4, it is necessary to detach the two portions 46 and 47 of the side 40. This is, of course, accomplished by releasing the bolt 50 and causing the two portions 46 and 47 to be disconnected from one another. The sides 41 are then laid over and the portions 46 and 47 folded over on top of the sides as illustrated in FIG. 4. The sides 41 are then attached to the rest of the support 10 by means of bolts 90 which may extend through slots 44. Also, preferably the portions 46 and 47 are secured to the support 10 by suitable bolts or the like in order to prevent the portions 46 and 47 from pivoting or flapping relative to the sides 41.

Alternatively, the groove 30, illustrated in FIG. 5 and also in FIG. 3, might be made wider so as to receive the sides 41 and the side and the elongate plate 22 could be used as a cover to hold the sides .in place inside of the groove 30 when the sides 40 and 41 are not being used to support the head of the patient.

Preferably the present device is constructed of aluminum which does not interfere with the taking of X-ray pictures. Thu-s, the patient could remain upon the present stretcher even though he is having X-rays taken. The inflatable mattress 16 is provided with a pump 100 or alternatively with a pressure source for filling the inflatable mattress 16. The sides of the telescoping members 11, 12 and 15 may have different types of bracing or reinforcement. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, the edges 105, 106 and 107 or sides of the members 11, 12 and 15 are rectangular in shape. Alternatively, those sides can have a rounded shape or even a triangular shape. The stretcher of the present invention could have various dimensions although it is preferable that the stretcher have a twenty inch width, a one and one-quarter inch thickness and a six foot, two inch length.

One of the advantages of the present device is the fact that the inflatable mattress more firmly secures the patient to the support 10. Thus, the various straps 17, 18 and 19 can be tied about the patient and about the patients legs and torso and head then the.inflatable mattress is filled up. Such a use of the present device firmly locates the patient on the support so that the patient is immobilized and any fractures will not be aggravated.

It will be evident from the above description that the present invention provides an improved stretcher which makes possible relatively complete immobilization of the patient. It will also be evident from the above description that the present invention provides a stretcher that is collapsible and can be carried on the pack. It should be mentioned in this regard that the triangular cross section members 77 have a length which is approximately the same length as the telescoped length shown in FIG. 4 of the present stretcher. Thus, the two limb splints 75 which are secured to members 77 each are secured thereto by means of a screw 78 in the fashion illustrated in FIG. 8.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12, there is illustrated a carriage which is used to support and move stretcher from place to place. The carriage includes a channel member 101 which is closed at its opposite ends 102 and which is hinged at 103 to the rectangular panels 105. The rectangular panels 105 are each made up of four angles 106 which are suitably welded together to provide the pair of rectangular panels 105. The carriage has four legs 107 which are connected together by a pair of braces 110. At the lower ends of each of the legs 107 there is provided a caster 111.

The legs 107 are mounted on the angles 106 as shown in detail in FIGS. 11 and 12. Referring to FIG. 12, a rivet 112 is fixed to the respective leg 107 and extends through a slot 115. Each of the slots 115 includes three areas 116, 117 and 118. When the rivet 112 is positioned in the area 116 of the slot 115, the leg is locked in the position illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11. The rivet of each leg, however, can be moved into and through the area 117 of the slot 115 into the area 118 for locking the leg in the folded position illustrated in FIG. 10. Of course, when the carriage is in the folded position of FIG. 10, the two rectangular panels 105 are folded into parallel relation with one another.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A stretcher comprising an elongate support having a substantially flat upper surface for supporting a patient lying on the support, a plurality of flexible straps secured to said support, said straps being secured to said support in the shape of a human torso and legs whereby said straps can be tied about the legs and body of the patient to immobilize the patient on the stretcher, and three sided receptacle for immobilizing the head of the patient, each of the three sides of said receptacle being fixed to said support so as to extend perpendicularly thereof, a centermost of said three sides extending transversely of said support, the other two of said three sides being secured to said centermost side and extending longitudinally of said support.

2. The stretcher of claim 1 additionally comprising an inflatable mattress on said support, said mattress being bifurcated at the leg supporting portion thereof, said straps being projectable between the bifurcated portions of said legs for tying down the individual legs of the patient to the support with the inflatable mattress be tween the legs and the support.

.3. A stretcher comprising an elongate support having a substantially flat upper surface for supporting a patient lying on the support, a plurality of flexible straps secured to said support, said straps being secured to said support in the shape of a human torso and legs whereby said straps can be tied about the legs and body of the patient to immobilize the patient on the stretcher, said support comprises three telescoping elements, said elements telescoping into one another in the direction of the length of said stretcher, one of said three elements having a receptacle mounted thereon for receiving said limb splints, said limb splints being resiliently flexible and bendable into a curved configuration, a pair of resilient members of triangular cross section securable to said stretcher at one side thereof, said splints being securable to the resilient members and to said stretcher in said curved configuration to form a back pack, said straps being usable to tie the back pack on a persons back and shoulders.

4. The stretcher of claim 1 wherein said other two sides have central openings at the central portions thereof, said straps being extendable through said openings to tie the head of the patient to said support, said centermost side including telescoping portions which permit said other two sides to be moved toward one another and away from one another, said other two sides being capable of attachment to said support at varying points closer to and farther from one another to adjust for varying head sizes of the patient.

5. The stretcher of claim 1 additionally comprising a pair of torso members secured to and projecting from the respective other two sides away from said centermost side, said torso members being adjustable on said other two sides to different amounts of projection, said torso members having openings therethrough through which said straps may be passed for tying the torso of the patient to the support and immobilizing the head of the patient relative to the torso.

6. The stretcher of claim 1 additionally comprising a pair of torso members secured to and projecting from the respective other two sides away from said centermost side, said torso members having openings therethrough through which said straps may be passed for tying the torso of the patient to the support and immobilizing the head of the patient relative to the torso.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,305,388 6/1919 Luria 5-l84 1,375,570 4/1921 Danciewicz 5--184 2,361,328 10/1944 Springer 5--82 2,682,670 7/1954 Crump 582 3,066,320 12/1962 Russell 582 3,135,972 6/1964 lakes et al. 582 3,139,883 7/1964 Collins 582 X 3,158,875 12/1964 Fletcher 5-82 3,373,454 3/1968 Curtis 582 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 51 14 

